Darul weighs steps to rein in fatwa brigade

SHOCKED over the ongoing ?fatwa for money? controversy, Darul-Uloom may seize the power of local muftis and maulanas for releasing fatwas in future. The matter is under consideration and the seminary seems serious only to authorise recognised centres for the job.

SHOCKED over the ongoing ‘fatwa for money’ controversy, Darul-Uloom may seize the power of local muftis and maulanas for releasing fatwas in future.

The matter is under consideration and the seminary seems serious only to authorise recognised centres for the job.

Clerics are in favour of recognising only those Darul- Iftas ( fatwa centres) which followed the rules of Shariat and worked in the interest of the community and Islam.

In fact, general secretary of the All India Old Boys Association of Darul Uloom Prof Kazi Zainussazidin, former dean faculty of Islamic theology at the AMU, has suggested this remedy to seminary’s Mohatmim Maulana Murgub-ur-rehman.

”The Mohatmim agreed in principle and some positive results may come out in coming days,” said the Kazi.adding, it would help restore the sanctity of fatwas as well.

Kazi has set up a Darul- Ifta inside Jama Masjid of Meerut to release fatwas for local people.

“I did this to discourage those releasing fatwas only to extract personal benefits in the name of Islam,” said the Kazi adding that Darul-Ulomm had shunted out one such maulana who repeatedly defied the advice of the seminary not to release fatwa on individual basis during the Imrana controversy.

The Kazi called upon the masses to pay heed to only those fatwas released from some authentic centres. He outrightly discarded the fatwas released by the muftis and maulanas in their personal capacity.